Three events to remember for tomorrow, Friday, January 24:• The monthly bake sale will be held during lunch time. Items will be sold for one-dollar each and there will be a gluten-free option available. More information on the SPA Spot page; more "Bake Sale Song" here.• All junior high students will be treated to a free pizza lunch tomorrow. The pizza party is a reward for being the grade division with the highest participation in this year's Annual Fund Campaign. Students who do not wish to eat pizza should bring a bag lunch.• All high school students are invited to attend an afterschool Trip to the Movies. A chaperoned group will be departing from Stanbridge on Friday afternoon at 3:15 to see the film I, Frankenstein at the San Mateo Century 12 Cinemas. This is a voluntary activity and attendees are required to purchase their own ticket/snacks at the theater. The movie is rated PG-13 and the event is open to outside friends, family members and guests. For more information or to volunteer as a chaperone, click over to the SPA Spot page.

From Marilyn Lynch, Stanbridge Head of School:Hello again and welcome back to our first "Weekly Bridge" of 2014. I hope everyone enjoyed the extended holiday break and is looking forward to an exciting new year at Stanbridge.

Before looking ahead on the calendar, a quick note about some pre-holiday events from last year. Just prior to break, high school students enjoyed the annual holiday dance and students from all divisions participated in an all-school Holiday Showcase assembly. We have uploaded a number of pictures and a short video from those events and posted them in the Media Room, so be sure to click over and take a look for a better-late-than-never dose of holiday cheer. Also, our Bulldogs Basketball team played their first competitive game of the season on the last day of school before break began. The team came up short against Charles Armstrong School, 33-22, but the game was competitive and all of the Stanbridge players saw action. If you missed the game, their will be more opportunities to see the team play this year, including a game next Saturday, Jan. 18 against STAR Academy. Full details, along with upcoming game and practice schedules are posted on the Bulldogs Athletics page.

Our first week at school after the holiday break went smoothly, with students and teachers settling back into their regular routines. Ditto for the Stanbridge Parent Association, who held their regular monthly meeting this past Wednesday. The highlight from their meting was the special panel of Stanbridge Alumni Parents who returned to discuss how and what their Stanbridge graduates were doing since leaving campus. The Q&A session was both informative and insightful, giving current parents a look at the numerous options available to their students. A big thank you to all of the parents who returned to speak on the panel, and to event organizer, Resource Specialist Diane Chau. If you were unable to make Wednesday's event, you can read over the SPA meeting minutes on the SPA Spot page, where you can also find downloadable notes from the Alumni Parent panel. Finally, the panel's presentation was video recorded, and if you would like to request a DVD of the presentation, please email Diane with your request.

Some good news to report from over the holiday break: We received a number of end-of-the-year Annual Fund donations and the numbers for the 2013-2014 Campaign are looking great. As of Friday, schoolwide participation is over 80% and our goal of 100% family participation is within sight. Additionally, the challenge to raise $35,000 in new and increased donations before December 31st was met--meaning that, thanks to your generosity, Stanbridge has added an additional $35,000 to this year's total! This is fantastic news and puts us extremely close to reaching our goals. If you have been waiting for the new year to make your donation, there is still time. Drop off your donation at the main office before or after school, or use your credit card or checking account to make an online donation through our Donate Now page. On behalf of the entire Annual Fund Committee, I cannot tell you how grateful we are to everyone who has helped make this year's campaign such a success. Thank you, Stanbridge!

It is great to end the first "Bridge" of 2014 on such a positive note, but before signing-off, a few quick reminders:

• Our online Stanbridge Family Directory was updated and reposted on the Files & Forms page last month. Please read over your family's entry to ensure the contact information is correct. If we need to make any changes, corrections or additions, email Chris Myers, who will publish the revised edition next week.

• With the holidays behind us, there are a number of notable lectures, seminars and workshops coming up on the calendar. Click over to our Lectures & Workshops page for the latest updates.

• The Middle Elementary students will be taking a day trip on Monday to Sonoma Mission. Please email Homeroom Teacher Kimberley Kornmann if you have any questions about the trip.

• Afterschool clubs are back in session and will run through the week of Jan. 20-24. January 24th marks the end of the second quarter and, thus, the end of the first semester. We will distributing sign-up forms for second semester afterschool clubs next week. While many of the clubs and meeting days will remain the same, there will be a few new options and schedule changes. Sign-up forms will be distributed to students (and posted online) next Friday, with enrollment open through the end of the month. Please note that all students who wish to participate in an afterschool club next semester will have to (re-)enroll and club tuition is due with the sign-up paperwork. Second semester clubs begin Monday, January 27 and will run through the week of May 19-23.

Believe it or not, the midway point of the school year is only two weeks away. Here's to a great 2014; have a wonderful weekend!

All Stanbridge students have a free dress day tomorrow and are encouraged to wear red, gold and/or any San Francisco 49ers gear in honor of the team's upcoming playoff game. Last year, Stanbridge held "49er Fridays" throughout the team's playoff run--and the Niners made it all the way to the Super Bowl! Coincidence? We think not, so show your team pride tomorrow!​(*Note: This is a 'Spirit Day' free dress event only. Students are still required to bring their own lunch.)

Just a reminder that the first Stanbridge Parent Association meeting of the new year will be held tomorrow, January 8 at 8:30 a.m. in Hayden Hall. All parents and guardians of Stanbridge students are invited to attend. Also, following the general SPA meeting, a panel discussion has been organized to address students' transition from Stanbridge, featuring alumni parents who will share their students post-Stanbridge experiences. Although this program will be directed mostly to our 11th- and 12th-graders, all high school parents are welcome to attend for future planning. This panel will include parents of alumni from an array of years and a variety of transition paths. We strongly encourage you to attend. This is a great, informal way to gather information on your student's post-Stanbridge transition, so I hope to see you there.

From Marilyn Lynch, Stanbridge Head of School:Hello again and Happy Holidays. Our holiday break is officially underway and Stanbridge is closed until the 2014. Before enjoying some down time with friends and family, a few year-end notes and reminders as you finish your holiday shopping, ponder your New Year's resolutions, and roast your chestnuts by an open fire:

The week leading-up to break was busy as usual here on campus. On Friday, December 13th, our junior high students participated in a "Day of Service" by assisting at the Family Giving Tree warehouse in Menlo Park. Their experience provided a nice bookend to our school-wide Family Giving Tree gift drive, which collected dozens of holiday gifts for families in need. The junior high students helped sort and wrap gifts at the warehouse, and saw firsthand where all of the collected items go, not to mention the behind-the-scenes work involved with the FGT organization. You can glimpse some of the highlights on our Community Service page.

Later that night, Hayden Hall was transformed into a winter wonderland for the annual High School Holiday Dance. Many current students (along with some Bulldog alumni) were on hand to celebrate the season with music, snacks, and plenty of holiday cheer. Our thanks to all of the SPA parent/guardian volunteers who helped with set-up and clean-up, as well as our teacher chaperones who also got into the spirit of things (see for yourself on the Media Room page).

This past week, our students helped everyone get into the holiday spirit during the Stanbridge Holiday Showcase on Wednesday afternoon. Taking the stage in A2, students from all divisions performed a variety of holiday skits, poems, and songs for an audience of classmates, teachers, family and friends. The event was highlighted by an extended set of classic and modern holiday favorites sung by the Stanbridge Choir, a show-stopping set from the Stanbridge Band, and an all-school rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." You'll (Yule?) have to wait until after the holidays for online highlights, but those who were in attendance agreed it was a fantastic way to get into the holiday mood.

And if Wednesday's performances didn't put students in the holiday mood, it is likely that Thursday afternoon's holiday parties did. Thanks again to all of the SPA representatives who helped organize and provide treats for the divisional parties. The occasions provided a cheerful way to end the school week and ease into break.

But before our basketball players could ease into break, they played their first official game of the season. Taking-on Charles Armstrong School, the Bulldogs fell 33-22, but Coach Mark Kelley was pleased with the team's effort and the group is off to a promising start for the rest of the season. More important than the final score is the fact that every player on the team saw action on the court during Thursday's game, including a few who took to the hardwood for the first time. Plenty of parents, guardians and friends were there to support the squad and everyone is excited for the season ahead. A few games are already scheduled for January and February, with more to be announced after break. Be sure to stay up-to-date with all of the Bulldog action on our Bulldogs Athletics page.

As we settle in to this extended break, just a few more notes to keep in mind over the holidays:

• Just a reminder that time is running out to make your tax-deductible donation to the Stanbridge Annual Fund before the end of the year. Tuesday, December 31 is the date that our Matching Funds Challenge expires and we are hoping that your donation--which will be matched by the Challenge, and therefore worth double--will help us reach our dollar and parent participation goals. If you have not yet donated, the easiest way to give is to click over to our Donate Now page and complete our online donor form, or send your check (made out to Stanbridge Academy) to the main office by December 31. We are closing-in on both our fundraising and participation goals and your donation will make a difference. On behalf of everyone in the Stanbridge Commnity, thank you for your support.

• With the flurry of online holiday shopping now and the post-holiday glut of gift cards to come, don't forget that using AmazonSmile to order from Amazon.com helps contribute to Stanbridge. When you use the AmazonSmile portal, a portion of the price from every purchase you make will be donated to our school. This is an easy way to help give to Stanbridge, so read more about it on our AmazonSmile page.

• Our online Stanbridge Family Directory has been updated and reposted on the Files & Forms page. Please read over your family's entry to ensure the contact information is correct. If we need to make any changes or corrections, email Chris Myers, who will publish a revised edition (if necessary) after break.

• School does not resume until Monday, January 6, 2014, but mark your calendars now because Wednesday, January 8 is the first SPA meeting of the new year, 8:30 a.m. in Hayden Hall. All parents and guardians are encouraged to attend, but I especially encourage the families of high school juniors and seniors to join us for this upcoming meeting. Following the general SPA meeting, a panel discussion has been organized to address students' transition from Stanbridge, featuring alumni parents who will share their students post-Stanbridge experiences. Although this program will be directed mostly to our 11th- and 12th-graders, all high school parents are welcome to attend for future planning. This panel will include parents of alumni from an array of years and a variety of transition paths. We strongly encourage you to attend. Please email Resource Specialist Diane Chau questions for the parent panel in advance so that the participants may prepare responses. We ask that questions be general and not student-specific in order for all families to benefit from the responses. More specific questions can be addressed in the later part of the morning, or after the panel has concluded. This is a great, informal way to gather information on your student's post-Stanbridge transition, so I hope to see you there.

That's not for a while, however, so until then, enjoy a relaxing, peaceful, happy holiday break. Seasons Greetings to you and your family and a Happy New Year! (See you back at Stanbridge on January 6th!)

The Stanbridge Family Directory has been updated. A new version of the directory has been posted to our Parent Portal's Files & Forms page. If you need to request any changes to your contact information, please email our webmaster.

Stanbridge high school student Daniel Kufer recently made headlines in the Saratoga News after helping to design and build two large gift wrap carts for the Family Giving Tree Warehouse in Menlo Park. The carts hold giant, 70-pound rolls of paper that the organization uses to wrap donated gifts for distribution to families in need. Daniel completed the project earlier this fall as part of his Boy Scout Eagle Badge project. Way to go, Daniel!

You can read the newspaper's coverage of Daniel's efforts on the Saratoga News website, and you can also see Daniel's creations in person by volunteering to help wrap gifts at the FGT Warehouse with other Stanbridge students and families this Saturday afternoon, Dec. 14, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. More details on this service opportunity, as well as the Family Giving Tree program, are posted on our Community Service page.

All Stanbridge high school students are invited to attend this year's annual Holiday Dance, held in Hayden Hall on Friday, December 13, from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. The dance is free, but all students who attend must return a completed permission form to the main office by Wednesday, Dec. 11. Details on the dance and a copy of the permission form can be found on the Files & Forms page.

Also, once you've logged-in to the Parent Portal, be sure to visit the Media Room, where we have recently added photos from last month's on-campus performance of Julius Caesar by the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, as well as pics from the Thanksgiving Turkey Bingo extravaganza.

Stanbridge Academy will be hosting "Transitions Day," Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at 12:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room (A2). This special transitions and college awareness event will feature representatives from a dozen different schools, post-secondary programs, and LD services, many of which have helped former Stanbridge graduates find success after high school (see list below for those scheduled to attend). High school students and their parents/guardians will be able to talk one-on-one with these representatives during this special, exclusive-to-Stanbridge session.

All parents and guardians of Stanbridge high school students are encouraged to attend. The session is mandatory for all juniors and seniors. Ninth- and tenth-grade students are invited to attend if accompanied by an adult. If you have any questions about the event, email Resource Specialist Diane Chau.

Representatives from the following schools, programs, and services are scheduled to appear:

College of San Mateo

Skyline College

College Living Experience (CLE), Monterey

Job Corps, Treasure Island

Cal State Easy Bay

Jobs For Youth

Department of Rehabilitation

Foothill College

Job Train

California Adult Schools

Wayfinders Program at Fresno State

Stanbridge Academy’s Fifth-Year Program

Additional information on many of these programs, including links to their websites, can be found in our website's Transitions section.

The Stanbridge Bulldogs Basketball Team is beginning its 2013-2014 season and Coach Kelley is starting practices this week. Parents and guardians of all players must complete the permission form and waiver packet posted on Files & Forms page. Practices are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (with some exceptions for holidays and school breaks). Practices will be held at SportsHouse in Redwood City and transportation to/from Stanbridge will be provided by the school on weekdays.

Full details of the practice schedule, including a list of blackout dates, a map to SportsHouse and more, have been posted on the Bulldogs Athletics page. Click over for more details.

From Marilyn Lynch, Stanbridge Head of School:Hello again. Well, tonight is the big night! This Saturday evening, November 16, we will be hosting our "Cheers to 30 Years!" Fall Gala. I am happy to report that the event is sold out, and I look forward to connecting (and reconnecting) with many friends and families of the Stanbridge Community this evening. If you are attending, I encourage you to arrive promptly at 6:00 p.m., since that is when the silent auction will open. Bidding will close before dinner, so there's a limited time to get your bids in!

I would again like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who volunteered and contributed over the past few months to ensure the success of Saturday's gala. As I noted last week, the generosity from Stanbridge families was overwhelming. We received hundreds of donations for our auction alone, which we were able to package into nearly 100 items. This far exceeded our expectations, and on behalf of the gala committee, thank you for your contributions and support.

With so much to offer on the auction block, we opened the bidding on a number of items this past week. Because not everyone could attend Saturday night's gala, we wanted to give all Stanbridge families an opportunity to participate in the auction fun, so dozens of gift items were displayed in Hayden Hall throughout the week for a special "Pre-Gala" silent auction. From techie gift baskets to student crafted artwork to a bowling playdate with teachers, there was something for everyone up for bids. It was great to see so many students and families get involved (there were friendly-but-competitive "bidding wars" for a number of items) and most of the highest bidders were able to claim their prizes on Friday afternoon. A hearty congratulations to all of our silent auction winners!

I can't emphasize enough the generosity of everyone who donated and volunteered over the past few months to ensure the success of our gala. Next week, we will publish a full list of individuals and businesses who contributed their time, goods, and/or services to the event. Until then, a final, pre-gala Thank You! to all who helped, and a look at some post-gala happenings of note:

• This coming week is the last full week of school in November before Thanksgiving Break starts on November 27. High school families, please note that Stanbridge is hosting our "Transitions Day" on Wednesday, November 20 at 12:30 p.m. Resource Specialist Diane Chau has coordinated this event which will give high school students, parents, and guardians the opportunity to talk one-on-one with representatives from work-study programs, community colleges, four-year universities, and post-secondary support programs. Planning the next step for students after they leave Stanbridge can be challenging, especially if you do not know what options are available. Many of the agencies that will be on-hand at the Transitions Day event are schools and programs where previous Stanbridge graduates have found success. This is a unique opportunity to explore the options your student has after Stanbridge and have your questions answered in a personalized, conversational forum. The event is open to all Stanbridge high school parents and guardians, and is mandatory for all high school juniors and seniors. Freshman and sophomores are welcome to attend if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Check your email or the Bridge Blog for additional information on the event--including a list of the schools and programs scheduled to attend--or email Diane if you have any specific questions.

• I previously noted the overwhelming generosity of Stanbridge families regarding our gala and auction, but such generosity is further exemplified in our Stanbridge Thanksgiving Food Drive. James Warren and the Stanbridge STAR teams are sponsoring this annual event that allows students from all divisions to participate...and indeed they are participating! James has already had to clear out some of the donations to make more room in our giant blue collection bin. Last year, Stanbridge families donated enough items to fill over 30 bags that were delivered to St. Anthony's Dining Room in San Francisco--could we be on pace to break that record? Collection will continue through November 25 in the Hayden Hall foyer, and we are accepting all non-perishable food items. This is something that truly embodies the spirit of Thanksgiving, and I thank everyone who has donated so far.

• Thanksgiving break is just around the corner, and we have a busy December ahead. Be sure to check our blog, SPA Spot, and Weekly Bridge pages regularly for news and updates. For now, it's just a few hours until the gala, and I look forward to seeing many of you there tonight. Until then, Cheers! to thirty years and to a wonderful weekend.

Reminders that this Friday, November 20th, the Student Government and the Stanbridge Parent Association (SPA) are sponsoring a lunchtime bake sale. Items will be sold during school lunch periods for $1 each and gluten-free options will be available. To get the full effect of this reminder, click over to the SPA Spot page to watch a video clip of James singing "The Bake Sale Song."

Also on the SPA Spot page, you will find details regarding this Friday's afterschool trip to the movies. A group of SPA volunteers will be chaperoning high school students to the San Mateo Cinemark theater to see Ender's Game. More information and the required permission form are posted on the SPA Spot if your student is interested in attending.

Thinking about your child’s future after Stanbridge can lead to a maze of questions. We’ll help you find answers on "Transitions Day," Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at 12:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room (A2).As a parent or guardian of a Stanbridge high school student, you may have questions about what the next step should be for your child after he or she graduates. Each Stanbridge student is unique, and there are a variety of options available for everyone. But it can be tough to plan ahead if you don’t know what’s out there. Join us on Wednesday, November 20 at 12:30 p.m.for a special presentation on some of the various post-secondary options available to Stanbridge students.This special transitions and college awareness event will feature representatives from a dozen different schools, post-secondary programs, and LD services, many of which have helped former Stanbridge graduates find success after high school (see list below for those scheduled to attend). You and your student will be able to talk one-on-one with these representatives during this special, exclusive-to-Stanbridge session.All parents and guardians of Stanbridge high school students are encouraged to attend. The session is mandatory for all juniors and seniors. Ninth- and tenth-grade students are invited to attend if accompanied by an adult. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Resource Specialist Diane Chau.Representatives from the following schools, programs, and services are scheduled to appear:

College of San Mateo

Skyline College

College Living Experience (CLE), Monterey

Job Corps, Treasure Island

Cal State Easy Bay

Jobs For Youth

Department of Rehabilitation

Foothill College

Job Train

California Adult Schools

Wayfinders Program at Fresno State

Stanbridge Academy’s Fifth-Year Program

Additional information on many of these programs, including links to their websites, can be found in our website's Transitions section.

Just a reminder that the first quarter ends this Friday, October 25 and Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for the following Monday and Tuesday, October 28 & 29. If you would like to meet with your student's teacher(s), you must complete our online conference request form by this Thursday, Oct. 24.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULING IS NOW CLOSED.THE CONFERENCE SIGN-UP FORM IS OFFLINE.

Please note that, this year, high school conferences can be scheduled for either Monday or Tuesday, but all K-8 conferences will be held on Monday, October 28 only. Please submit your schedule requests accordingly. Conference schedules are completed on a first-come, first served basis, so please submit your request promptly.

Conference scheduling is done exclusively through online registration. Conferences will not be scheduled by phone or outside email and there are no drop-in appointments on conference days.

Friday, October 18, is a professional development day for teachers; students have the day off.High school parents and guardians, please ensure your student returns the permission forms and waivers for next Tuesday's Day of Service. Also, permission forms for next Friday's Halloween Dance need to be returned to the main office by Wednesday. You can find all of the necessary forms online--just click over to the Files & Forms page.

Stanbridge Academy is a caring, inclusive K-12 school for students with mild to moderate learning differences and social communication disorders. We use an individualized, whole student approach so that students thrive and develop their academic, social, and emotional capabilities to their fullest potential.